Before you design your business card, ask yourself these 5 questions

Choice can be overwhelming. And while we’re pretty proud of the fact that we’re constantly adding new business card designs to our site, we also know that all those options can be a little daunting – especially if you don’t have an idea in mind of what you want your card to ultimately look like. It helps to have a starting point, or at least an idea of what you don’t want. Here are a few questions to ask yourself before you start browsing.

1. “Do I have a photo or logo to upload?”

Many times customers have a logo for their business that they want to build a card around, or they need a design that has plenty of room for a product or headshot. On the left side of our business card gallery, you’ll find a “Has Logo/Photo Area” check box. This will narrow down the options to only those that will work with a photo or logo.

“It helps to have a starting point, or at least an idea of what you don’t want.”

2. “What’s my business’s style?”

Is your business retro or modern, preppy or eclectic, sophisticated or simple? When our designers create new cards, they often consider the style of a particular business and design a card specifically for that purpose. You can sort by these styles using the “Styles and Themes” menu on the left of our gallery. Try starting with a broader term like “Modern” or “Conservative” and narrow down from there.

3. “How will my audience see my business card?”

Will you hand it out face to face? Will it be tacked up on a corkboard or in a stack of competitor cards? Will you include a business card with a product purchase or attached to an invoice? Knowing the context of how your cards will be received may help you decide how bold you need to be with imagery and color. For example, if you work in construction and trade and need people to be able to spot your card in a pile, choose bright colors and a large industry-related image to stand out.

4. “What is the single most important piece of info I want to convey with my card?”

Business cards are small, and people often make the mistake of trying to cram too much information into a 3.5"x 2" inch space. Decide ahead of time which piece of information should be front and center. (For example, a current trend in business card design is to make your name the most important and largest design element on the card.)

“Decide ahead of time which piece of information should be front and center on your business card.”

5. “How much of a statement do I want to make?”

Sometimes you need to go the extra mile to show that your business is the one your customers should put their trust in. In that case, choosing a brilliant finish like spot gloss or metallic, or upgrading paper to signature or even ultra thick, may do the trick.